US5419871A - Analyzer elevator assembly - Google Patents

Analyzer elevator assembly Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US5419871A
US5419871A US08/236,908 US23690894A US5419871A US 5419871 A US5419871 A US 5419871A US 23690894 A US23690894 A US 23690894A US 5419871 A US5419871 A US 5419871A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
support
incubator
slide
elevator
analyzer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US08/236,908
Inventor
Martin F. Muszak
Alexander W. Hirsch
Michael W. LaCourt
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare UK Ltd
Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare International Ltd
Clinical Diagnostic Systems Inc
Original Assignee
Clinical Diagnostic Systems Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Assigned to EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY reassignment EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HIRSCH, ALEXANDER W., LACOURT, MICHAEL W., MUSZAK, MARTIN F.
Priority to US08/236,908 priority Critical patent/US5419871A/en
Application filed by Clinical Diagnostic Systems Inc filed Critical Clinical Diagnostic Systems Inc
Assigned to CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMS reassignment CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMS ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Priority to DE69515548T priority patent/DE69515548T2/en
Priority to AT95302919T priority patent/ATE190730T1/en
Priority to EP95302919A priority patent/EP0679895B1/en
Priority to JP7107535A priority patent/JPH08160051A/en
Publication of US5419871A publication Critical patent/US5419871A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Assigned to RECKITT BENCKISER HEALTHCARE (UK) LIMITED reassignment RECKITT BENCKISER HEALTHCARE (UK) LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BOOTS HEALTHCARE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Assigned to BOOTS HEALTHCARE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED reassignment BOOTS HEALTHCARE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BOOTS COMPANY PLC, THE
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/00029Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/00029Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides
    • G01N2035/00039Transport arrangements specific to flat sample substrates, e.g. pusher blade
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/00029Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor provided with flat sample substrates, e.g. slides
    • G01N2035/00089Magazines
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N2035/00346Heating or cooling arrangements
    • G01N2035/00356Holding samples at elevated temperature (incubation)
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/04Details of the conveyor system
    • G01N2035/0401Sample carriers, cuvettes or reaction vessels
    • G01N2035/0418Plate elements with several rows of samples
    • G01N2035/0425Stacks, magazines or elevators for plates
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/025Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations having a carousel or turntable for reaction cells or cuvettes
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T436/00Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
    • Y10T436/11Automated chemical analysis
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T436/00Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
    • Y10T436/11Automated chemical analysis
    • Y10T436/110833Utilizing a moving indicator strip or tape
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T436/00Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
    • Y10T436/11Automated chemical analysis
    • Y10T436/112499Automated chemical analysis with sample on test slide
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T436/00Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
    • Y10T436/11Automated chemical analysis
    • Y10T436/113332Automated chemical analysis with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T436/00Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
    • Y10T436/11Automated chemical analysis
    • Y10T436/113332Automated chemical analysis with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack
    • Y10T436/114165Automated chemical analysis with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack with step of insertion or removal from test line

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an elevator used to lower a slide element from one part of an analyzer to an incubator at a lower level, and/or to raise it to an incubator at a higher level, particularly for use with stacked incubators.
  • the through-put of said '952 patent analyzer is roughly about 700 test elements per hour. To expand this to 1,000 or more places even greater burdens on the analyzer, such as larger or more numerous incubators. Hence, the foot-print tends to become larger still. Larger foot-prints are unacceptable in crowded laboratories.
  • the problem addressed by this invention is to allow the use of vertically-stacked incubators without also requiring the rotating slide distributor to move up and down as well, to the levels of the stacked incubators.
  • the incubator comprising a plurality of sites disposed circumferentially for supporting a test element;
  • the elevator comprising a support, means for lowering or raising the support from the first position to the second position, and for raising or lowering the support, respectively, and a pusher for pushing a test element onto the support and from the support into the incubator.
  • an analyzer for the analysis of analytes in biological fluids, the analyzer comprising a first and a second incubator disposed one above the other, and a slide distributor for moving slide test elements in a fixed horizontal plane to a position adjacent one of the incubators,
  • the elevator including a support and a pusher for pushing a slide element from the distributor onto the support and from the support into either of the incubators.
  • an analyzer is provided with vertically stacked incubators and a mechanism for loading them at different heights, without requiring the distributor that normally moves the slides around, to also go up and down to those different height locations of the incubators.
  • a related advantageous feature is that the mechanism allowing for loading of a slide element at the different heights of the vertically stacked incubators, is simplified in that it need only provide vertical motion to those different heights and horizontal motion into the incubator(s).
  • FIG. 1 is a fragmentary isometric view of an analyzer constructed with the elevator of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view, partially broken away, of a portion of the analyzer depicting the slide distributor, two stacked incubators, and the elevator servicing those incubators;
  • FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the two stacked incubators and elevator of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the elevator structure
  • FIG. 5 is a top plan view, partly in section, of the elevator structure shown in FIG. 4, and a slide element engaged by the elevator;
  • FIG. 6 is a section view taken generally along the line VI--VI of FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the cap of the elevator shown in FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the elevator engaged with the distributor slide block
  • FIGS. 9-14 are section views taken generally along line Q--Q of FIG. 8, except that the elevator is shown moving through its various stations (FIG. 11 being an exact section view along line Q--Q); and
  • FIG. 15 is a fragmentary isometric view of another embodiment of the invention.
  • the invention is hereinafter described by reference to the preferred embodiments, in which two incubators are stacked together, one vertically above the other for use in an analyzer with a preferred kind of slide distributor and preferred kinds of slide test elements.
  • the invention is useful regardless of whether there is one or two incubators, or the type and construction of each of the incubators, the slide distributor, or the slide test elements, provided an elevator is used that is separate from the slide distributor, to move the test elements vertically relative to the position of the slide distributor.
  • orientations described herein such as “upper”, “lower”, “above”, “horizontal”, “vertical” and the like refer to the orientations during their preferred use.
  • analyzer 12 has one or more supplies of slide test elements at stations 14 and 16, a supply of patient samples 19 and of disposable tips 21 at a rotating station 20, an aspirating and dispensing tower 18 adjacent station 20, a distributor arm 30 under station 20 to receive slide test elements to move them to tower 18 and to various incubators, at least three incubators 22, 24 and 26 for incubating slide elements received from distributor 20, and readers 23 and 25 of incubated slide elements optionally disposed to one side of the incubators, all as described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,952.
  • the slide elements are preferably the colorimetric type that produce a color signal for detection, and the potentiometric types, both available under the trademark "Ektachem”® slides from Eastman Kodak Co.
  • incubator 26 is replaced with a pair of stacked incubators 36 and 40 more clearly shown in FIG. 2.
  • Any kind of incubator structure including conventional structures, can be used for incubators 36 and 40, as well as for their mounting, as they do not constitute part of this invention. Accordingly, they are not further described, except that a single peripheral station 46 and 50, respectively, is shown out of the plural peripheral stations present for each, broken away to illustrate the presence of a hard stop or reference surface 48, at each station 46, that abuts against a datum reference edge 52 of slide element E that is incubated in incubator 36 on a support 49. No such reference surface is provided on support 51 at stations 50 for slide elements E'. The reason is, FIG. 3, elements E' are ejected from stations 50 by pushing them through the station into a stationary dump 53 located inside of rotating supports 51.
  • incubator 40 is directly above incubator 36, although their respective rotor centers need not be vertically aligned. As used herein, one incubator is directly above the other if the vertical projection upward of the footprint of the other, totally encompasses the footprint of the one (as shown). Conveniently, incubator 40 can be mounted on a cover 42 used for incubator 36, the details of which are omitted.
  • incubator 36 is preferably, but not necessarily, dedicated to colorimetric type of slide test elements E, that is, those that produce a color change.
  • Incubator 40 on the other hand is preferably, but not necessarily, dedicated to potentiometric type slide test elements E' that produce a differential voltage. Thus, slide elements E and E' are selected accordingly.
  • slide distributor 30, FIG. 2 rotates about an axis 54 in a single horizontal plane 56 to supply slide test elements E and E' to a position A that is adjacent incubators 36 and 40, and most particularly, in the plane of slide support 51 at station 50 of incubator 40. It is not, however, capable of moving out of plane 56, that is, it cannot move down to the level of support 49 of incubator 34.
  • Distributor 30 has a slide block 60 at the end of each of its arms to temporarily hold a slide element E or E', and a metering housing 62 there-above to aid in dispensing sample or reference fluid onto element E or E', also as is conventional.
  • an elevator assembly 100 separate from the slide distributor 30 is provided to move slide test elements E down to the level of support 49 of incubator 36. It also functions to permit elements E' to be loaded into incubator 40 from distributor slide block 60.
  • elevator 100 preferably comprises, FIG. 4, a vertical frame 102 having a guide flange 103 that rides between a bearing block 105, FIG. 8, a motor 104 , FIG. 2, for raising and lowering frame 102 and flange 103 via a rack 106 and a pinion gear 108, a horizontal track 110, a carrier 112 for a pusher 130 shown more clearly in FIG. 4, a pinion gear 114 for driving carrier 112 via a rack 116 projecting down through track 112, and a cover 170 described hereinafter in detail.
  • cover 170 described hereinafter in detail.
  • Pusher 130 preferably comprises, FIG. 4, a blade mechanism featuring a horizontally extending body 132, a pair of pusher fingers 134, 136 at one end of body 132, and a spring-retaining notch 138 at the opposite end.
  • a compression spring 140 FIG. 5, is mounted around notch 138 to press against surface 143 of notch 138, and against end surface 144 of carrier 112. Opposite surface 146 of notch 138 keeps blade 130 from advancing too far within carrier 112.
  • a release lug 154 can be included, FIG. 4, to press against a fixed stop 156 disposed near end 158 of track 110. See also FIG. 6.
  • the elongated blade can be replaced with a solid bar, a flexible blade, or with a cam mechanism (not shown) having a long enough throw to push the slide element far enough.
  • Frame 102 includes a slide support, FIGS. 4 and 5, which is preferably two rails 162, 164 spaced apart a distance effective to allow passage of pusher fingers 134, 136 between them.-
  • a slide element E or E' is supported on rails 162, 164, FIG. 5, either for movement through frame 102 without stopping, if in element E', or for resting on rails 162, 164 to allow for lowering of the element to incubator 36, in the case of elements E.
  • a cover 170, FIGS. 4 and 7, is preferably included disposed within frame 102 above rails 162, 164.
  • two pairs of opposed notches 172, 174 extend upwardly from support rails 162, 164, FIG. 5, and these mate with projecting pairs of side flanges 182, 184, respectively, of cover 170, FIG. 4.
  • Flange 184 in turn is part of a front plate 186 which is cantilevered from the rest of cover 170 at 187, FIG. 7, to provide plate 186 with a degree of flexibility as shown by the phantom position.
  • a shoulder 188 projects outward from plate 186 to snap into place in a mating groove 190 formed at two sides of frame 102, FIG. 4. Plate 186 flexes to the phantom position, FIG. 7, when cover 170 is inserted within grooves 172, until shoulder 188 slides into grooves 190.
  • a pair of bottom rails 192, 194 is provided on cover 170, FIGS. 4 and 7, and the distance "L", FIG. 7, of these rails from shoulder 188 is preferably controlled so that rails 192, 194 are spaced above matching element support rails 162, 164, FIG. 4, just the correct amount for the height of one slide element E or E', thus preventing two elements from being inadvertently stacked onto rails 162, 164.
  • anti-skid bumps 200 are included at the bottom of each rail 192, 194, FIG. 7. These keep slide elements E and E' back of front plate 186 and in contact with pusher blade fingers 134 and 136.
  • elevator 100 It is the function of elevator 100 to insert itself into a slide block 60 of distributor 30, FIG. 8, and to push a slide element therein out to one of the incubators, as is more clearly shown in FIGS. 9-14.
  • elevator 100 has been raised to its highest position and carrier 112 has been withdrawn to its most rearward position, so as to be under and inside the support 202 of slide block 60 holding a slide element E'.
  • Pusher fingers 134, 136 are in position to engage element E', in the same plane of support 202 as support 51 of incubator 40.
  • gear 114 is driven by its motor to advance carrier 112 to the left, FIG. 10, to pick element E' off support 202 and move it directly onto support 51 of incubator 40, FIG. 11.
  • FIG. 10 shows the parts with slide E' under cover 170, if the slide element is an element E' it does not stop here but continues to its position shown in FIG. 11. It is only in the case of slide elements E that they stop in the position shown in FIG. 10, resting on support rail 164 (and 162), under the action of pinion gear 114 that drives carrier 112.
  • the slide element is an element E, that is, one destined for incubator 36 rather than 40, it is retained in place on rail 164, FIG. 10, and carrier 112 and blade finger 134 remain positioned behind slide block 60 while the elevator is lowered to incubator 36, FIG. 12.
  • elevator 100 is lowered via gear 108 and rack 106, FIG. 2, to the lowermost position where support rail 164 is adjacent to and outside of incubator 36.
  • Carrier 112 is advanced from its held position behind element E on rail 164.
  • support rail 164 is in a horizontal plane that is the same as the plane of support 51 of incubator 36.
  • carrier 112 is advanced so that fingers 134 et al push element E off support rail 164 onto support 51, up against reference surface 48 it is here that spring 140 comes into play, FIG. 5. To be certain element E has in fact been advanced all the way against reference surface 48, carrier 112 continues to advance slightly farther than nominally necessary. Because blade 130 is free to slide rearwardly against the action of spring 140, as shown in phantom for surface 146, blade 140 does not unduly jam the slide element against the reference surface.
  • Appropriate sensors are positioned, such as sensors 300, 302, FIG. 14, preferably below incubator 36 to detect from the position of blades such as blade 304, the vertical position of elevator 100.
  • a sensor not shown, is used to detect the position of carrier 112 as it moves through the horizontal plane defined by track 100.
  • the slide distributor is shown located at the height of the upper incubator, so that movement by the elevator is down to the incubator not in line with the distributor, it will be readily apparent that the distributor could be located (not shown) at the height of the lower incubator so that a test element is moved UP to the incubator not in line with the distributor.
  • the elevator of this invention move only up and down, and horizontally, to accommodate only two incubators, one stacked above the other.
  • the elevator can serve three incubators stacked on the diagonal, requiring motion on the diagonal by the elevator as well as in a horizontal plane by the blade carrier. Parts similar to those previously described are given the same reference numeral, to which the distinguishing suffix "A”, is appended.
  • FIG. 15 not two, but three incubators 34A, 40A, and 316 are stacked vertically with centers 318, 320 and 321 lying along a diagonal axis 323. Their rotors (not shown) thus operate within 3 diagonally offset horizontal planes "A", "B” and "C". This vertical offset of each with respect to the other (instead of being one directly above the other) allows for ease in access to the incubator below an upper one, since the lower one is partially uncovered at all times by the one above it.
  • a slide distributor provides a slide block 60A in a fixed horizontal plane adjacent the incubators
  • an elevator 100A comprises a frame 102A supporting a horizontal track 110A on which is reciprocated a carrier 112A having a pusher 130A with fingers 134A, 136A constructed as before (cover 120A not being shown, for clarity).
  • Support rails such as rail 162A are used as before to support a slide element while in the elevator.
  • elevator 100A needs to move diagonally rather than straight up and down, so as to be disposed outside of the entrances 322, 324 of incubators 34A and 316 (as well as for incubator 40A, not shown). Accordingly, frame 102A is journalled to slide along a diagonal rail 330 fixed to intersect planes A, B and C just outside of the entrances to the incubator.
  • a conveyor such as endless belt 334 is provided, driven by pulley 336 and motor 338, frame 102A being clipped at 340 to belt 334 so as to travel with the belt.
  • Idler pulley 342 provides the other end for the conveyor.
  • Carrier 112A though movable on the diagonal with elevator 100A, can still clear horizontal slide block 60A, or enter it, simply by withdrawing or advancing the carrier, respectively, when it is horizontally aligned with the slide block.
  • a slide element can be transferred from slide block 60A to support rail 162A, and then the elevator moved diagonally to whatever incubator is intended to receive the slide element. After the elevator is moved into position at the incubator's entrance, pusher fingers 134A, 136A are advanced between support rails (e.g., 162A) of elevator 100A to push the slide into the incubator.
  • support rails e.g., 162A
  • a second elevator frame can be mounted on rail 330, spaced from elevator frame 102A to increase throughput. Such second frame is raised and lowered by its connection to belt 334, in lock-step with frame 102A.
  • incubators 36A and 40A can be dedicated as described previously, and incubator 320 can be dedicated to colorimetric type slide elements different from those incubated in incubator 36A.
  • Still another alternative is to replace the rack and pinion drive 106, 108 of FIG. 2, or the endless belt drive 334 of FIG. 15, with a helical or worm gear drive (not shown).

Abstract

An analyzer and an elevator therein for moving a slide element from a distributor operating preferably in a single horizontal plane, to one of plural incubators disposed at different vertical levels. A drive mechanism is provided for raising and lowering the elevator, and a pusher is provided, such as a pusher blade within the elevator, to push a slide element from the distributor to a support in the elevator, and then into one of the incubators.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an elevator used to lower a slide element from one part of an analyzer to an incubator at a lower level, and/or to raise it to an incubator at a higher level, particularly for use with stacked incubators.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As analyzers become larger and larger to handle more and more tests per hour, it becomes necessary to have more than one incubator to receive sample-bearing slide test elements to incubate them, for higher through-put. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,952, FIG. 1, by D. L. Blanding et al. However, the more incubators that are required, the larger the "foot-print" of the analyzer. Compare, e.g., the footprint of a three-incubator analyzer of the '952 patent, with the footprint of a two-incubator analyzer as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,296,070.
The through-put of said '952 patent analyzer is roughly about 700 test elements per hour. To expand this to 1,000 or more places even greater burdens on the analyzer, such as larger or more numerous incubators. Hence, the foot-print tends to become larger still. Larger foot-prints are unacceptable in crowded laboratories.
Thus, there has been a problem in increasing the through-put of the analyzer above, say, 700 slide elements per hour, without drastically increasing the foot-print.
In a related, commonly-owned application cofiled herewith by James Miller, entitled Twin Roter Incubator Assembly U.S. application Ser. No. 08/235,041, a solution to that problem is provided by stacking one incubator generally above the other. However, once that is done, there remains the problem of loading slide elements into those stacked incubators. The traditional mechanism for loading the incubators of the '952 and the '070 patents is to use a rotating slide distributor. To do this at two different levels would require the slide distributor to have a vertical motion as well as a rotary motion. Because of the size of the slide distributor and its mass, such additional degree of freedom in its motion is not deemed to be practical.
Thus, the problem addressed by this invention is to allow the use of vertically-stacked incubators without also requiring the rotating slide distributor to move up and down as well, to the levels of the stacked incubators.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
We have constructed a design that solves the aforesaid problem.
More specifically, there is provided, in one aspect of the invention, a combination of an analyzer incubator for incubating test elements, and an elevator assembly for positioning and loading test elements from a first position adjacent to the incubator to a second position above or below the incubator; the incubator comprising a plurality of sites disposed circumferentially for supporting a test element; and the elevator comprising a support, means for lowering or raising the support from the first position to the second position, and for raising or lowering the support, respectively, and a pusher for pushing a test element onto the support and from the support into the incubator.
In accord with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an analyzer for the analysis of analytes in biological fluids, the analyzer comprising a first and a second incubator disposed one above the other, and a slide distributor for moving slide test elements in a fixed horizontal plane to a position adjacent one of the incubators,
and further including an elevator for raising and lowering a test element relative to the distributor and relative to first and second loading positions adjacent the incubators, the elevator including a support and a pusher for pushing a slide element from the distributor onto the support and from the support into either of the incubators.
Accordingly, it is an advantageous feature of the invention that an analyzer is provided with vertically stacked incubators and a mechanism for loading them at different heights, without requiring the distributor that normally moves the slides around, to also go up and down to those different height locations of the incubators.
A related advantageous feature is that the mechanism allowing for loading of a slide element at the different heights of the vertically stacked incubators, is simplified in that it need only provide vertical motion to those different heights and horizontal motion into the incubator(s).
Other advantageous features will become apparent upon reference to the detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments, when read in light of the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary isometric view of an analyzer constructed with the elevator of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view, partially broken away, of a portion of the analyzer depicting the slide distributor, two stacked incubators, and the elevator servicing those incubators;
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the two stacked incubators and elevator of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the elevator structure;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view, partly in section, of the elevator structure shown in FIG. 4, and a slide element engaged by the elevator;
FIG. 6 is a section view taken generally along the line VI--VI of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the cap of the elevator shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the elevator engaged with the distributor slide block;
FIGS. 9-14 are section views taken generally along line Q--Q of FIG. 8, except that the elevator is shown moving through its various stations (FIG. 11 being an exact section view along line Q--Q); and
FIG. 15 is a fragmentary isometric view of another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The invention is hereinafter described by reference to the preferred embodiments, in which two incubators are stacked together, one vertically above the other for use in an analyzer with a preferred kind of slide distributor and preferred kinds of slide test elements. In addition, the invention is useful regardless of whether there is one or two incubators, or the type and construction of each of the incubators, the slide distributor, or the slide test elements, provided an elevator is used that is separate from the slide distributor, to move the test elements vertically relative to the position of the slide distributor.
Various orientations described herein, such as "upper", "lower", "above", "horizontal", "vertical" and the like refer to the orientations during their preferred use.
The environment of use of the invention is in an analyzer such as, but not limited to, that shown in FIG. 1, in which analyzer 12 has one or more supplies of slide test elements at stations 14 and 16, a supply of patient samples 19 and of disposable tips 21 at a rotating station 20, an aspirating and dispensing tower 18 adjacent station 20, a distributor arm 30 under station 20 to receive slide test elements to move them to tower 18 and to various incubators, at least three incubators 22, 24 and 26 for incubating slide elements received from distributor 20, and readers 23 and 25 of incubated slide elements optionally disposed to one side of the incubators, all as described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,952. Representative examples of these features can be found in, e.g., those already in use on the analyzer available under the trademark "Ektachem E700"® manufactured by Eastman Kodak Co. For this reason, the slide elements are preferably the colorimetric type that produce a color signal for detection, and the potentiometric types, both available under the trademark "Ektachem"® slides from Eastman Kodak Co.
In this invention, as described in the aforesaid related application Ser. No. 08/235,041 incubator 26 is replaced with a pair of stacked incubators 36 and 40 more clearly shown in FIG. 2. Any kind of incubator structure, including conventional structures, can be used for incubators 36 and 40, as well as for their mounting, as they do not constitute part of this invention. Accordingly, they are not further described, except that a single peripheral station 46 and 50, respectively, is shown out of the plural peripheral stations present for each, broken away to illustrate the presence of a hard stop or reference surface 48, at each station 46, that abuts against a datum reference edge 52 of slide element E that is incubated in incubator 36 on a support 49. No such reference surface is provided on support 51 at stations 50 for slide elements E'. The reason is, FIG. 3, elements E' are ejected from stations 50 by pushing them through the station into a stationary dump 53 located inside of rotating supports 51.
It will be noted from FIG. 3 that incubator 40 is directly above incubator 36, although their respective rotor centers need not be vertically aligned. As used herein, one incubator is directly above the other if the vertical projection upward of the footprint of the other, totally encompasses the footprint of the one (as shown). Conveniently, incubator 40 can be mounted on a cover 42 used for incubator 36, the details of which are omitted.
Also, it is noted that incubator 36 is preferably, but not necessarily, dedicated to colorimetric type of slide test elements E, that is, those that produce a color change. Incubator 40 on the other hand is preferably, but not necessarily, dedicated to potentiometric type slide test elements E' that produce a differential voltage. Thus, slide elements E and E' are selected accordingly.
As is conventional, slide distributor 30, FIG. 2, rotates about an axis 54 in a single horizontal plane 56 to supply slide test elements E and E' to a position A that is adjacent incubators 36 and 40, and most particularly, in the plane of slide support 51 at station 50 of incubator 40. It is not, however, capable of moving out of plane 56, that is, it cannot move down to the level of support 49 of incubator 34.
Distributor 30 has a slide block 60 at the end of each of its arms to temporarily hold a slide element E or E', and a metering housing 62 there-above to aid in dispensing sample or reference fluid onto element E or E', also as is conventional.
In accordance with the invention, an elevator assembly 100 separate from the slide distributor 30 is provided to move slide test elements E down to the level of support 49 of incubator 36. It also functions to permit elements E' to be loaded into incubator 40 from distributor slide block 60.
To provide up and down movement, elevator 100 preferably comprises, FIG. 4, a vertical frame 102 having a guide flange 103 that rides between a bearing block 105, FIG. 8, a motor 104 , FIG. 2, for raising and lowering frame 102 and flange 103 via a rack 106 and a pinion gear 108, a horizontal track 110, a carrier 112 for a pusher 130 shown more clearly in FIG. 4, a pinion gear 114 for driving carrier 112 via a rack 116 projecting down through track 112, and a cover 170 described hereinafter in detail. (Other conventional raising and lowering mechanisms can be used in place of frame 102, motor 104 and rack and pinion 106, 108--see for example the embodiment of FIG. 15.)
Pusher 130 preferably comprises, FIG. 4, a blade mechanism featuring a horizontally extending body 132, a pair of pusher fingers 134, 136 at one end of body 132, and a spring-retaining notch 138 at the opposite end. A compression spring 140, FIG. 5, is mounted around notch 138 to press against surface 143 of notch 138, and against end surface 144 of carrier 112. Opposite surface 146 of notch 138 keeps blade 130 from advancing too far within carrier 112.
Body portion 132, FIGS. 5 and 6, slides between and is retained by one or more pairs of lips 150, 152 of carrier 112, under the action of spring 140, as described further hereinafter.
To ensure blade 130 does not stick within lips 150, 152 to render ineffective the action of spring 140, a release lug 154 can be included, FIG. 4, to press against a fixed stop 156 disposed near end 158 of track 110. See also FIG. 6.
Other configurations of the pusher 130 can also be used. For example, the elongated blade can be replaced with a solid bar, a flexible blade, or with a cam mechanism (not shown) having a long enough throw to push the slide element far enough.
Frame 102 includes a slide support, FIGS. 4 and 5, which is preferably two rails 162, 164 spaced apart a distance effective to allow passage of pusher fingers 134, 136 between them.- A slide element E or E' is supported on rails 162, 164, FIG. 5, either for movement through frame 102 without stopping, if in element E', or for resting on rails 162, 164 to allow for lowering of the element to incubator 36, in the case of elements E.
A cover 170, FIGS. 4 and 7, is preferably included disposed within frame 102 above rails 162, 164. To receive cover 170, two pairs of opposed notches 172, 174 extend upwardly from support rails 162, 164, FIG. 5, and these mate with projecting pairs of side flanges 182, 184, respectively, of cover 170, FIG. 4. Flange 184 in turn is part of a front plate 186 which is cantilevered from the rest of cover 170 at 187, FIG. 7, to provide plate 186 with a degree of flexibility as shown by the phantom position. A shoulder 188 projects outward from plate 186 to snap into place in a mating groove 190 formed at two sides of frame 102, FIG. 4. Plate 186 flexes to the phantom position, FIG. 7, when cover 170 is inserted within grooves 172, until shoulder 188 slides into grooves 190.
A pair of bottom rails 192, 194 is provided on cover 170, FIGS. 4 and 7, and the distance "L", FIG. 7, of these rails from shoulder 188 is preferably controlled so that rails 192, 194 are spaced above matching element support rails 162, 164, FIG. 4, just the correct amount for the height of one slide element E or E', thus preventing two elements from being inadvertently stacked onto rails 162, 164.
Optionally, and preferably, to keep a test element E or E' that is being pushed by blade 130, from advancing too far onto rails 162, 164, that is, so as to stick out beyond front plate 186, anti-skid bumps 200 are included at the bottom of each rail 192, 194, FIG. 7. These keep slide elements E and E' back of front plate 186 and in contact with pusher blade fingers 134 and 136.
It is the function of elevator 100 to insert itself into a slide block 60 of distributor 30, FIG. 8, and to push a slide element therein out to one of the incubators, as is more clearly shown in FIGS. 9-14. Thus, in FIG. 9, elevator 100 has been raised to its highest position and carrier 112 has been withdrawn to its most rearward position, so as to be under and inside the support 202 of slide block 60 holding a slide element E'. Pusher fingers 134, 136 are in position to engage element E', in the same plane of support 202 as support 51 of incubator 40.
Next, gear 114, FIG. 4, is driven by its motor to advance carrier 112 to the left, FIG. 10, to pick element E' off support 202 and move it directly onto support 51 of incubator 40, FIG. 11. Although FIG. 10 shows the parts with slide E' under cover 170, if the slide element is an element E' it does not stop here but continues to its position shown in FIG. 11. It is only in the case of slide elements E that they stop in the position shown in FIG. 10, resting on support rail 164 (and 162), under the action of pinion gear 114 that drives carrier 112.
If in fact the slide element is an element E, that is, one destined for incubator 36 rather than 40, it is retained in place on rail 164, FIG. 10, and carrier 112 and blade finger 134 remain positioned behind slide block 60 while the elevator is lowered to incubator 36, FIG. 12.
Next, FIG. 13, elevator 100 is lowered via gear 108 and rack 106, FIG. 2, to the lowermost position where support rail 164 is adjacent to and outside of incubator 36. Carrier 112 is advanced from its held position behind element E on rail 164. At this point in the sequence, support rail 164 is in a horizontal plane that is the same as the plane of support 51 of incubator 36.
Finally, FIG. 14, carrier 112 is advanced so that fingers 134 et al push element E off support rail 164 onto support 51, up against reference surface 48 it is here that spring 140 comes into play, FIG. 5. To be certain element E has in fact been advanced all the way against reference surface 48, carrier 112 continues to advance slightly farther than nominally necessary. Because blade 130 is free to slide rearwardly against the action of spring 140, as shown in phantom for surface 146, blade 140 does not unduly jam the slide element against the reference surface.
Appropriate sensors are positioned, such as sensors 300, 302, FIG. 14, preferably below incubator 36 to detect from the position of blades such as blade 304, the vertical position of elevator 100. Similarly, a sensor, not shown, is used to detect the position of carrier 112 as it moves through the horizontal plane defined by track 100.
Other Alternative Embodiments
Although the slide distributor is shown located at the height of the upper incubator, so that movement by the elevator is down to the incubator not in line with the distributor, it will be readily apparent that the distributor could be located (not shown) at the height of the lower incubator so that a test element is moved UP to the incubator not in line with the distributor.
Further, it is not necessary that the elevator of this invention move only up and down, and horizontally, to accommodate only two incubators, one stacked above the other. Thus, as shown in FIG. 15, the elevator can serve three incubators stacked on the diagonal, requiring motion on the diagonal by the elevator as well as in a horizontal plane by the blade carrier. Parts similar to those previously described are given the same reference numeral, to which the distinguishing suffix "A", is appended.
Thus, FIG. 15, not two, but three incubators 34A, 40A, and 316 are stacked vertically with centers 318, 320 and 321 lying along a diagonal axis 323. Their rotors (not shown) thus operate within 3 diagonally offset horizontal planes "A", "B" and "C". This vertical offset of each with respect to the other (instead of being one directly above the other) allows for ease in access to the incubator below an upper one, since the lower one is partially uncovered at all times by the one above it.
As in the previously described embodiment, a slide distributor provides a slide block 60A in a fixed horizontal plane adjacent the incubators, and an elevator 100A comprises a frame 102A supporting a horizontal track 110A on which is reciprocated a carrier 112A having a pusher 130A with fingers 134A, 136A constructed as before (cover 120A not being shown, for clarity). Support rails such as rail 162A are used as before to support a slide element while in the elevator.
However, unlike the previous embodiment, elevator 100A needs to move diagonally rather than straight up and down, so as to be disposed outside of the entrances 322, 324 of incubators 34A and 316 (as well as for incubator 40A, not shown). Accordingly, frame 102A is journalled to slide along a diagonal rail 330 fixed to intersect planes A, B and C just outside of the entrances to the incubator. To drive elevator 100 along rail 330, a conveyor such as endless belt 334 is provided, driven by pulley 336 and motor 338, frame 102A being clipped at 340 to belt 334 so as to travel with the belt. Idler pulley 342 provides the other end for the conveyor. Carrier 112A, though movable on the diagonal with elevator 100A, can still clear horizontal slide block 60A, or enter it, simply by withdrawing or advancing the carrier, respectively, when it is horizontally aligned with the slide block.
With this construction a slide element can be transferred from slide block 60A to support rail 162A, and then the elevator moved diagonally to whatever incubator is intended to receive the slide element. After the elevator is moved into position at the incubator's entrance, pusher fingers 134A, 136A are advanced between support rails (e.g., 162A) of elevator 100A to push the slide into the incubator.
Alternatively (not shown), a second elevator frame can be mounted on rail 330, spaced from elevator frame 102A to increase throughput. Such second frame is raised and lowered by its connection to belt 334, in lock-step with frame 102A.
By way of example, incubators 36A and 40A can be dedicated as described previously, and incubator 320 can be dedicated to colorimetric type slide elements different from those incubated in incubator 36A.
Still another alternative is to replace the rack and pinion drive 106, 108 of FIG. 2, or the endless belt drive 334 of FIG. 15, with a helical or worm gear drive (not shown).
The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (15)

What is claimed is:
1. A combination comprising an analyzer incubator for incubating test elements, and an elevator assembly for positioning and loading test elements from a first position adjacent so said incubator to a second position above or below said incubator;
said incubator comprising a plurality of sites disposed circumferentially for supporting a test element;
and said elevator comprising a support, means for lowering or raising sad support from said first position to said second position, and for rising or lowering said support, respectively, and
pusher for pushing a test element onto said support and from said support into said incubator, said pusher comprising a pair of pusher fingers for pushing a test element from said support onto one of said sites and means for moving said fingers with respect to said support,
said incubator further including a fixed reference surface for abutting against a datum edge of a slide test element and wherein said fingers are mounted on said finger-moving means by a compliant means for biasing said fingers outwardly relative to said finger-moving means, towards said incubator, and to allow said fingers to move back inwardly away from said incubator relative to said finger-moving means when inserting a slide test element datum edge against said fixed surface of said incubator.
2. A combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said raising and lowering means is selected from the group consisting of an endless belt conveyor and a rack and pinion drive.
3. A combination as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a rack and pinion assembly for moving said fingers.
4. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said incubator having said fixed reference surface is dedicated to receiving color-producing slide test elements.
5. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said incubator is dedicated to receiving color-producing slide test elements or potentiometric slide test elements, but not both.
6. A combination as claimed in claim 5, and further including sensors fixed relative to said incubator, and means fixed relative to said support for interacting with said sensors to indicate the position of said elevator relative to said incubator.
7. A combination as claimed in claim 5, and further including therein a removable cover mounted at a position spaced above said support by a distance sufficient to accommodate only one slide element between the cover and said support, said cover being biased to stay at said position by a flexible plate and a mating groove and shoulder, one of said shoulder and groove being on said plate.
8. A combination as defined in claim 7, and further including on said cover, anti-skid means for retarding movement of a slide test element onto said support by said pusher.
9. An analyzer for the analysis of analytes in biological fluids, the analyzer comprising a first and a second incubator disposed one above the other, and a slide distributor for moving slide test elements in a fixed horizontal plane to a position adjacent one of said incubators,
and further including an elevator for raising and lowering a test element relative to said distributor and relative to first and second loading positions adjacent said incubators, said elevator including a support and a pusher for pushing a slide element from said distributor onto said support and from said support into either of said incubators.
10. An analyzer as defined in claim 9, and further including means for rotating said distributor within said fixed plane.
11. An analyzer as defined in claim 9 or 10, and further including sensors fixed relative to at least one of said incubators, and means fixed relative to said support interacting with said sensors to indicate the position of said elevator relative to said incubators.
12. An analyzer as defined in claim 9, and further including in said elevator a removable cover mounted at a position spaced above said support by a distance sufficient to accommodate only one slide element between the cover and said support, said cover being biased to stay at said position by a flexible plate and a mating groove and shoulder, one of said shoulder and groove being on said plate.
13. An analyzer as defined in claim 12, and further including on said cover, anti-skid means for retarding movement of a slide test element onto said support by said pusher.
14. An analyzer as defined in claim 9, wherein said incubators are disposed one directly above the other, and wherein said elevator includes raising and lowering means comprising a rack and pinion drive.
15. An analyzer as defined in claim 9, wherein said incubators are vertically offset one from the other along a diagonal axis, and wherein said elevator includes raising and lowering means comprising an endless belt conveyor.
US08/236,908 1994-04-29 1994-04-29 Analyzer elevator assembly Expired - Fee Related US5419871A (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/236,908 US5419871A (en) 1994-04-29 1994-04-29 Analyzer elevator assembly
DE69515548T DE69515548T2 (en) 1994-04-29 1995-04-28 Elevator device for an analyzer
AT95302919T ATE190730T1 (en) 1994-04-29 1995-04-28 ELEVATOR DEVICE FOR AN ANALYZER
EP95302919A EP0679895B1 (en) 1994-04-29 1995-04-28 Analyzer elevator assembly
JP7107535A JPH08160051A (en) 1994-04-29 1995-05-01 Analyzer having plurality of vertically arranged incubators

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/236,908 US5419871A (en) 1994-04-29 1994-04-29 Analyzer elevator assembly

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US5419871A true US5419871A (en) 1995-05-30

Family

ID=22891500

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/236,908 Expired - Fee Related US5419871A (en) 1994-04-29 1994-04-29 Analyzer elevator assembly

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US5419871A (en)
EP (1) EP0679895B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH08160051A (en)
AT (1) ATE190730T1 (en)
DE (1) DE69515548T2 (en)

Cited By (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997039348A1 (en) * 1996-04-15 1997-10-23 Alpha Scientific Corporation Slide transport system
US6060022A (en) * 1996-07-05 2000-05-09 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Automated sample processing system including automatic centrifuge device
WO2000045164A1 (en) * 1999-01-29 2000-08-03 Genomic Instrumentation Services, Inc. Robotic work station
US20020028489A1 (en) * 1998-05-01 2002-03-07 Gen-Probe Incorporated Automated process for isolating and amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence
US6426228B1 (en) * 1998-07-14 2002-07-30 Bayer Corporation Method for feeding containers into and out of an analytical instrument
US20020150510A1 (en) * 2001-03-22 2002-10-17 Leica Mikrosysteme Gmbh Apparatus for tissue processing for the tissue embedding
WO2003006997A2 (en) * 2001-07-13 2003-01-23 Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. Multiple track incubator for clinical analyzer
US20040089737A1 (en) * 2002-10-31 2004-05-13 Teruaki Itoh Specimen centrifuge system
US20040184959A1 (en) * 2003-01-31 2004-09-23 Teruaki Itoh Specimen centrifuge apparatus
US20050003522A1 (en) * 2003-05-19 2005-01-06 Lattec I/S Apparatus for analysing fluid taken from a body
US20070096436A1 (en) * 2003-10-07 2007-05-03 Phillip Minyard Willis Mobile support assembly
EP1952890A2 (en) 2007-01-30 2008-08-06 Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Inc. Centrifuge and random access incubator
US7794659B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2010-09-14 Gen-Probe Incorporated Signal measuring system having a movable signal measuring device
US20110293475A1 (en) * 2008-05-30 2011-12-01 Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc. Analyzer For Performing Medical Diagnostic Analysis
US8192992B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2012-06-05 Gen-Probe Incorporated System and method for incubating the contents of a reaction receptacle
EP2674763A2 (en) 2012-06-12 2013-12-18 Raymond F. Jakubowicz Lateral flow assay devices for use in clinical diagnostic apparatus and configuration of clinical diagnostic apparatus for same
US8718948B2 (en) 2011-02-24 2014-05-06 Gen-Probe Incorporated Systems and methods for distinguishing optical signals of different modulation frequencies in an optical signal detector
EP2835178A1 (en) * 2013-08-06 2015-02-11 AusBio R&D Europe GmbH Centrifuge and method for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
US9046507B2 (en) 2010-07-29 2015-06-02 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method, system and apparatus for incorporating capacitive proximity sensing in an automated fluid transfer procedure
US9335338B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2016-05-10 Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation Automated diagnostic analyzers having rear accessible track systems and related methods
US9400285B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2016-07-26 Abbot Laboratories Automated diagnostic analyzers having vertically arranged carousels and related methods
US9695467B2 (en) 2008-11-28 2017-07-04 Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. Method for processing nucleic acids-containing fluids
US10001497B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2018-06-19 Abbott Laboratories Diagnostic analyzers with pretreatment carousels and related methods
CN112964637A (en) * 2021-02-03 2021-06-15 深圳市康立生物医疗有限公司 Automatic detection method of immunoassay integrated system

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4296070A (en) * 1980-06-16 1981-10-20 Eastman Kodak Company Slide distributor for a chemical analyzer
US4512952A (en) * 1982-07-01 1985-04-23 Eastman Kodak Company Apparatus for storing and dispensing analysis slides
US4855109A (en) * 1986-02-07 1989-08-08 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Chemical analysis apparatus
US4857272A (en) * 1985-06-21 1989-08-15 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Chemical assay system
US5055262A (en) * 1988-02-22 1991-10-08 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Automatic cuvette loading apparatus
US5071625A (en) * 1985-02-27 1991-12-10 Fisher Scientific Company Cuvette handling
US5075079A (en) * 1990-05-21 1991-12-24 Technicon Instruments Corporation Slide analysis system
US5122342A (en) * 1988-07-16 1992-06-16 Quatro Biosystems Limited Bio-fluid assay apparatus
US5219526A (en) * 1990-04-27 1993-06-15 Pb Diagnostic Systems Inc. Assay cartridge
US5232665A (en) * 1991-07-26 1993-08-03 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Multi-linear automatic apparatus for processing immunoassays
US5332549A (en) * 1992-07-01 1994-07-26 Pb Diagnostic Systems, Inc. Assay module transport apparatus for use in an automated analytical instrument

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4224032A (en) * 1976-12-17 1980-09-23 Eastman Kodak Company Method and apparatus for chemical analysis
US4296069A (en) * 1980-06-16 1981-10-20 Eastman Kodak Company Apparatus for processing an analysis slide
US4424191A (en) * 1982-03-04 1984-01-03 Eastman Kodak Company Analyzer featuring loading and unloading means for a storage chamber, and common drive means
JPS58156835A (en) * 1982-03-15 1983-09-17 Konishiroku Photo Ind Co Ltd Chemical analysis and measurement device
US4963333A (en) * 1989-05-02 1990-10-16 Eastman Kodak Company Universal evaporation cover
JP2844264B2 (en) * 1992-07-01 1999-01-06 ベーリング ダイアグノスティックス,インコーポレーテッド Automated analytical instrument with fluid sample holding tray transfer assembly

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4296070A (en) * 1980-06-16 1981-10-20 Eastman Kodak Company Slide distributor for a chemical analyzer
US4512952A (en) * 1982-07-01 1985-04-23 Eastman Kodak Company Apparatus for storing and dispensing analysis slides
US5071625A (en) * 1985-02-27 1991-12-10 Fisher Scientific Company Cuvette handling
US4857272A (en) * 1985-06-21 1989-08-15 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Chemical assay system
US4855109A (en) * 1986-02-07 1989-08-08 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Chemical analysis apparatus
US5055262A (en) * 1988-02-22 1991-10-08 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Automatic cuvette loading apparatus
US5122342A (en) * 1988-07-16 1992-06-16 Quatro Biosystems Limited Bio-fluid assay apparatus
US5219526A (en) * 1990-04-27 1993-06-15 Pb Diagnostic Systems Inc. Assay cartridge
US5075079A (en) * 1990-05-21 1991-12-24 Technicon Instruments Corporation Slide analysis system
US5232665A (en) * 1991-07-26 1993-08-03 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Multi-linear automatic apparatus for processing immunoassays
US5332549A (en) * 1992-07-01 1994-07-26 Pb Diagnostic Systems, Inc. Assay module transport apparatus for use in an automated analytical instrument

Cited By (108)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997039348A1 (en) * 1996-04-15 1997-10-23 Alpha Scientific Corporation Slide transport system
US6060022A (en) * 1996-07-05 2000-05-09 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Automated sample processing system including automatic centrifuge device
US8038942B2 (en) 1996-07-05 2011-10-18 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Automated sample processing system
US20090047179A1 (en) * 1996-07-05 2009-02-19 Ping Wing S Automated sample processing system
US8883455B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2014-11-11 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample
US8309358B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2012-11-13 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for introducing a fluid into a reaction receptacle contained within a temperature-controlled environment
US8137620B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2012-03-20 Gen-Probe Incorporated Temperature-controlled incubator having an arcuate closure panel
US7666602B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2010-02-23 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for agitating the fluid contents of a container
US7666681B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2010-02-23 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for agitating the fluid contents of a container
US20020028489A1 (en) * 1998-05-01 2002-03-07 Gen-Probe Incorporated Automated process for isolating and amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence
US20020137197A1 (en) * 1998-05-01 2002-09-26 Ammann Kelly G. Automated diagnostic analyzer and method
US20020137194A1 (en) * 1998-05-01 2002-09-26 Gen-Probe Incorporated Device for agitating the fluid contents of a container
US8192992B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2012-06-05 Gen-Probe Incorporated System and method for incubating the contents of a reaction receptacle
US8221682B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2012-07-17 Gen-Probe Incorporated System for incubating the contents of a reaction receptacle
US9598723B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2017-03-21 Gen-Probe Incorporated Automated analyzer for performing a nucleic acid-based assay
US20030027206A1 (en) * 1998-05-01 2003-02-06 Ammann Kelly G. Automated method for determining the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample
US9150908B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2015-10-06 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample
US6605213B1 (en) 1998-05-01 2003-08-12 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method and apparatus for performing a magnetic separation purification procedure on a sample solution
US8012419B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2011-09-06 Gen-Probe Incorporated Temperature-controlled incubator having rotatable door
US6764649B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2004-07-20 Gen-Probe Incorporated Transport mechanism
US8709814B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2014-04-29 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for incubating the contents of a receptacle
US8569019B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2013-10-29 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for performing an assay with a nucleic acid present in a specimen
US20060003373A1 (en) * 1998-05-01 2006-01-05 Gen-Probe Incorporated Automated process for isolating and amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence
US8569020B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2013-10-29 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for simultaneously performing multiple amplification reactions
US8546110B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2013-10-01 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample
US8337753B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2012-12-25 Gen-Probe Incorporated Temperature-controlled incubator having a receptacle mixing mechanism
US8318500B2 (en) 1998-05-01 2012-11-27 Gen-Probe, Incorporated Method for agitating the contents of a reaction receptacle within a temperature-controlled environment
US6426228B1 (en) * 1998-07-14 2002-07-30 Bayer Corporation Method for feeding containers into and out of an analytical instrument
US6426043B1 (en) 1998-07-14 2002-07-30 Bayer Corporation Automatic handler for feeding containers into and out of an analytical instrument
US6489169B1 (en) 1998-07-14 2002-12-03 Bayer Corporation Automatic handler for feeding containers into and out of an analytical instrument
US6451259B1 (en) 1998-07-14 2002-09-17 Bayer Corporation Automatic handler for feeding containers into and out of an analytical instrument
US6444472B1 (en) 1998-07-14 2002-09-03 Bayer Corporation Automatic handler for feeding containers into and out of an analytical instrument
US6440368B1 (en) * 1998-07-14 2002-08-27 Bayer Corporation Automatic handler for feeding containers into and out of an analytical instrument
US6426044B1 (en) * 1998-07-14 2002-07-30 Bayer Corporation Automatic handler for feeding containers into and out of an analytical instrument
WO2000045164A1 (en) * 1999-01-29 2000-08-03 Genomic Instrumentation Services, Inc. Robotic work station
US7232546B2 (en) * 2001-03-22 2007-06-19 Leica Mikrosysteme Gmbh Apparatus for tissue processing for the tissue embedding
US20020150510A1 (en) * 2001-03-22 2002-10-17 Leica Mikrosysteme Gmbh Apparatus for tissue processing for the tissue embedding
CN100339713C (en) * 2001-07-13 2007-09-26 奥索临床诊断公司 Tandem incubator for clinical analyzer
AU2002346018C1 (en) * 2001-07-13 2009-01-22 Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. Multiple track incubator for clinical analyzer
WO2003006997A2 (en) * 2001-07-13 2003-01-23 Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. Multiple track incubator for clinical analyzer
WO2003006997A3 (en) * 2001-07-13 2003-05-22 Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Inc Multiple track incubator for clinical analyzer
US7312084B2 (en) 2001-07-13 2007-12-25 Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. Tandem incubator for clinical analyzer
AU2002346018B2 (en) * 2001-07-13 2008-06-12 Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. Multiple track incubator for clinical analyzer
US20040089737A1 (en) * 2002-10-31 2004-05-13 Teruaki Itoh Specimen centrifuge system
US7195737B2 (en) * 2002-10-31 2007-03-27 Teruaki Itoh Specimen centrifuge system
US20040184959A1 (en) * 2003-01-31 2004-09-23 Teruaki Itoh Specimen centrifuge apparatus
US7112303B2 (en) * 2003-01-31 2006-09-26 Teruaki Itoh Specimen centrifuge apparatus
US20050003522A1 (en) * 2003-05-19 2005-01-06 Lattec I/S Apparatus for analysing fluid taken from a body
US8262991B2 (en) 2003-05-19 2012-09-11 Lattec I/S Apparatus for analysing fluid taken from a body
US20070096436A1 (en) * 2003-10-07 2007-05-03 Phillip Minyard Willis Mobile support assembly
US9372156B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2016-06-21 Gen-Probe Incorporated System for processing contents of a receptacle to detect an optical signal emitted by the contents
US8349564B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2013-01-08 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for continuous mode processing of the contents of multiple reaction receptacles in a real-time amplification assay
US7964413B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2011-06-21 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for continuous mode processing of multiple reaction receptacles in a real-time amplification assay
US8501461B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2013-08-06 Gen-Probe Incorporated System for performing multi-formatted assays
US7897337B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2011-03-01 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for performing multi-formatted assays
US8008066B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2011-08-30 Gen-Probe Incorporated System for performing multi-formatted assays
US7932081B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2011-04-26 Gen-Probe Incorporated Signal measuring system for conducting real-time amplification assays
US9726607B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2017-08-08 Gen-Probe Incorporated Systems and methods for detecting multiple optical signals
US8615368B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2013-12-24 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method for determining the amount of an analyte in a sample
US8663922B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2014-03-04 Gen-Probe Incorporated Systems and methods for detecting multiple optical signals
US7794659B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2010-09-14 Gen-Probe Incorporated Signal measuring system having a movable signal measuring device
US10006862B2 (en) 2005-03-10 2018-06-26 Gen-Probe Incorporated Continuous process for performing multiple nucleic acid amplification assays
EP1952890A3 (en) * 2007-01-30 2012-06-20 Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Inc. Centrifuge and random access incubator
EP1952890A2 (en) 2007-01-30 2008-08-06 Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Inc. Centrifuge and random access incubator
US20110293475A1 (en) * 2008-05-30 2011-12-01 Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc. Analyzer For Performing Medical Diagnostic Analysis
US8431079B2 (en) * 2008-05-30 2013-04-30 Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc. Analyzer for performing medical diagnostic analysis
US9695467B2 (en) 2008-11-28 2017-07-04 Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. Method for processing nucleic acids-containing fluids
US9046507B2 (en) 2010-07-29 2015-06-02 Gen-Probe Incorporated Method, system and apparatus for incorporating capacitive proximity sensing in an automated fluid transfer procedure
US8718948B2 (en) 2011-02-24 2014-05-06 Gen-Probe Incorporated Systems and methods for distinguishing optical signals of different modulation frequencies in an optical signal detector
US9915613B2 (en) 2011-02-24 2018-03-13 Gen-Probe Incorporated Systems and methods for distinguishing optical signals of different modulation frequencies in an optical signal detector
US10641707B2 (en) 2011-02-24 2020-05-05 Gen-Probe Incorporated Systems and methods for distinguishing optical signals of different modulation frequencies in an optical signal detector
US9389228B2 (en) 2012-06-12 2016-07-12 Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. Lateral flow assay devices for use in clinical diagnostic apparatus and configuration of clinical diagnostic apparatus for same
US9709562B2 (en) 2012-06-12 2017-07-18 Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. Lateral flow assay devices for use in clinical diagnostic apparatus and configuration of clinical diagnostic apparatus for same
EP2674763A2 (en) 2012-06-12 2013-12-18 Raymond F. Jakubowicz Lateral flow assay devices for use in clinical diagnostic apparatus and configuration of clinical diagnostic apparatus for same
EP3594690A1 (en) 2012-06-12 2020-01-15 Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. System for processing lateral flow assay devices
US10001497B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2018-06-19 Abbott Laboratories Diagnostic analyzers with pretreatment carousels and related methods
US9400285B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2016-07-26 Abbot Laboratories Automated diagnostic analyzers having vertically arranged carousels and related methods
US11536739B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2022-12-27 Abbott Laboratories Automated diagnostic analyzers having vertically arranged carousels and related methods
US11435372B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2022-09-06 Abbott Laboratories Diagnostic analyzers with pretreatment carousels and related methods
US11125766B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2021-09-21 Abbott Laboratories Automated diagnostic analyzers having rear accessible track systems and related methods
US10775398B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2020-09-15 Abbott Laboratories Automated diagnostic analyzers having vertically arranged carousels and related methods
US9335338B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2016-05-10 Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation Automated diagnostic analyzers having rear accessible track systems and related methods
US10267818B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-04-23 Abbott Laboratories Automated diagnostic analyzers having rear accessible track systems and related methods
US10197585B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-02-05 Abbott Laboratories Automated diagnostic analyzers having vertically arranged carousels and related methods
US10338063B2 (en) 2013-08-06 2019-07-02 Yantai Ausbio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge and method for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
US10928387B2 (en) 2013-08-06 2021-02-23 Yantai Ausbio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge including a magnetic element and method for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit and using a magnetic element
DE202014011070U1 (en) 2013-08-06 2017-08-21 Yantai Ausbio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
EP2835178A1 (en) * 2013-08-06 2015-02-11 AusBio R&D Europe GmbH Centrifuge and method for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
DE202014011071U1 (en) 2013-08-06 2017-08-18 Yantai Ausbio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
DE202014011074U1 (en) 2013-08-06 2017-08-17 Yantai Ausbio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
DE202014011073U1 (en) 2013-08-06 2017-08-17 Yantai Ausbio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
CN105517711B (en) * 2013-08-06 2019-08-02 烟台澳斯邦生物工程有限公司 Centrifuge and method for acting on reaction vessel unit by centrifugal force
DE202014011072U1 (en) 2013-08-06 2017-08-17 Yantai Ausbio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
DE202014011068U1 (en) 2013-08-06 2017-08-16 Yantai Ausbio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
WO2015018878A3 (en) * 2013-08-06 2015-05-07 Yantai Ausbio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge and method for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
WO2015018878A2 (en) * 2013-08-06 2015-02-12 Yantai Ausbio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge and method for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
US11885799B2 (en) 2013-08-06 2024-01-30 Yantai Ausbio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge including a magnetic element and method for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
DE202014010544U1 (en) 2013-08-06 2015-11-26 Yantai Ausbio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
DE202014011521U1 (en) 2013-08-06 2021-11-18 Yantai Ausbio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge and system for washing magnetic particles in a reaction vessel unit
DE202014011542U1 (en) 2013-08-06 2022-01-31 Yantai Ausbio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
DE202014011543U1 (en) 2013-08-06 2022-01-31 Yantai Ausbio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
EP3030353B1 (en) 2013-08-06 2017-05-10 Yantai AusBio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge and method for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
CN105517711A (en) * 2013-08-06 2016-04-20 烟台澳斯邦生物工程有限公司 Centrifuge and method for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
DE202014011612U1 (en) 2013-08-06 2023-06-16 Yantai Ausbio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge for washing a reaction vessel unit
DE202014011611U1 (en) 2013-08-06 2023-06-16 Yantai Ausbio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
DE202014011614U1 (en) 2013-08-06 2023-07-04 Yantai Ausbio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge for centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
US11885798B2 (en) 2013-08-06 2024-01-30 Yantai Ausbio Laboratories Co., Ltd. Centrifuge and method for loading and centrifuging a reaction vessel unit
CN112964637A (en) * 2021-02-03 2021-06-15 深圳市康立生物医疗有限公司 Automatic detection method of immunoassay integrated system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69515548T2 (en) 2000-07-20
EP0679895B1 (en) 2000-03-15
DE69515548D1 (en) 2000-04-20
ATE190730T1 (en) 2000-04-15
EP0679895A1 (en) 1995-11-02
JPH08160051A (en) 1996-06-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5419871A (en) Analyzer elevator assembly
US9823109B2 (en) Chemical analyzer
US5523056A (en) Twin rotor incubator assembly
US5075079A (en) Slide analysis system
US7854892B2 (en) Specimen-transport module
US4298570A (en) Tray section for automated sample handling apparatus
EP0428184B1 (en) Reagent test strip reading instrument
CA1256404A (en) Tower for analyzing system
US4681741A (en) Reagent dispenser for an analyzing system
WO1987000084A1 (en) Automatic specimen analyzing system
US5384094A (en) Diagnostic processing station
KR0168659B1 (en) Flexible pusher blade and housing
CA2054454A1 (en) Apparatus for shuttling a test element from a discharge path to a wash station
US5089418A (en) Analyzer featuring a circular track of cartridges centered on an incubator and method of use
JPS5967443A (en) Automatic sampler
US4036381A (en) Apparatus for transferring sample holders relative to a movable magazine
EP0228410A1 (en) Reagent dispenser for analyzing system.
CA2095497C (en) Cam-operated doors for an incubator
US5456883A (en) Mechanism for reading and removing reaction cuvettes in an incubator
EP1752774B1 (en) Direction selection mechanism for analytical tool, and analytical device
US7306947B2 (en) Automatic analysis apparatus
CA2033007A1 (en) Automated capping means for analyzer pipette
US6183694B1 (en) Spectrophotometric apparatus for reducing fluid carryover
US5330716A (en) Flexible pusher blade and housing
US5340540A (en) Cap raising mechanism for an incubator

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY, NEW YORK

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MUSZAK, MARTIN F.;HIRSCH, ALEXANDER W.;LACOURT, MICHAEL W.;REEL/FRAME:007055/0559

Effective date: 19940412

AS Assignment

Owner name: CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMS, NEW YORK

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:007453/0224

Effective date: 19950118

CC Certificate of correction
FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20030530

AS Assignment

Owner name: BOOTS HEALTHCARE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, UNITED KIN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BOOTS COMPANY PLC, THE;REEL/FRAME:017507/0637

Effective date: 20060327

Owner name: RECKITT BENCKISER HEALTHCARE (UK) LIMITED, UNITED

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BOOTS HEALTHCARE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED;REEL/FRAME:017507/0603

Effective date: 20060327